Here is a collection of videos from the USNS Impeccable when it was approached by 5 Chinese vessel’s on March 8, 2009.  For more on the incident, read gCaptain’s full coverage HERE

[Continue Reading →]

Download MP3: Messing About In Ships Episode 35 March 19, 2009 (61 minutes)

Subscribe Via iTunes HERE
[Continue Reading →]

 

 MAIS Maritime Podcast #35 [61:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

China has dispatched a retired Chinese navy rescue vessel, the China Yuzheng 311, to patrol the South China Sea where last week the USNS Impeccable was harrassed by five chinese vessels, an incident that has sparked much debate over the area.  AFP tells us:

BEIJING (AFP) — China has dispatched its most modern patrol ship to the South China Sea, state press said Sunday, after an incident with a US naval vessel and a fresh claim by the Philippines to the disputed territory.

The Beijing News said the vessel would conduct patrols of what it called China’s exclusive maritime zone in the disputed waters surrounding the Paracel and Spratly Islands.

It said the converted naval rescue ship would aid Chinese fishing boats and transport vessels.

[Continue Reading →]

Why did the Chinese Navy harass the USNS Impeccable? gCaptain has been recieving a number of emails, Tweets and forum questions about this incident so I put together a short video walking you though details on the USNS Impeccable, the US Navy’s anti-submarine initiatives in the Pacific and the reasons why China does not want acoustic patrols in the region.

.

Your thoughts?

Yesterday, five Chinese vessels “shadowed and aggressively maneuvered in dangerously close proximity” to the U.S. Navy ocean surveillance ship, USNS Impeccable, as it conducted routine operations in international waters in the South China Sea. According to reports, two of the Chinese vessels closed to within 50 feet (15 meters) of the USNS Impeccable, waving Chinese flags and telling the U.S. ship to leave the area. The Impeccable sprayed its fire hoses at one of the boats in order to protect itself. It is also being reported that one of the crew of one of the Chinese vessels stripped to their underwear and continued closing within 25 feet.

USNS Impeccable FAQ

[Continue Reading →]